Rebel Shiv Sena minister Gulabrao Patil today said Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has left 52 MLAs of his own party as well as his official residence, but is not ready to leave NCP chief Sharad Pawar, in a direct attack on the Sena president.
Mr Patil said the rebel MLAs were not opportunist and did everything for the party and their leader when they were not even in a position to do so.
Mr Patil is part of the rebellion launched by senior leader Eknath Shinde last week against the Sena. These legislators have been urging the Sena leadership to snap ties with the NCP and Congress that share power with their party in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.
"He left 'Varsha' (chief minister's official residence), he left 52 MLAs, he left everyone, but he is not ready to leave Sharad Pawar," Mr Patil told his fellow rebel MLAs in an address which was released by the dissident camp from Guwahati.
"Whatever we have got is also due to the sacrifices we made. We have sacrificed our household. We are not opportunist," he said.
Mr Thackeray on Tuesday appealed to the MLAs to come back and talk to him in the wake of the rebellion that has pushed the party into its worst ever crisis and threatening the existence of his government.
Hitting back at party leader Sanjay Raut for his comment that Mr Patil will be sent back to his pan shop, the rebel minister said, "When the time comes, I will apply chuna (limestone)."
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
'One Nation, One Poll' Panel Gets More Members After Some Parties Object Some Inherit The Throne But Not The Brain: Eknath Shinde Targets Uddhav Thackeray Sharad Pawar Meets PM Modi Along With Two Maharashtra Farmers 2 Dead, Many Feared Trapped For 17 Hours After Mohali Building Collapse Germany Refused To Extradite Saudi Suspect? Suicidal Empathy, Says Elon Musk "What Type Of Person...": Revanth Reddy's Big Claim Against Allu Arjun These Street Dogs in Brazil Became A National Symbol. Here's Why National Mathematics Day: Why It Is Celebrated On December 22 Google Doodle Marks December's Final Half Moon With Fun Interactive Game Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.